The annual Survey of Fitness Trends 2015 By Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, (ACSM’S Health & Fitness Journal: November/December 2014 – Volume 18 – Issue 6 – p 8–17) reflects the most current and emerging trends in the fitness industry and is of great help for the health and fitness professionals, including personal trainers, in making important investment and career decisions. The survey takes into account trends that have a significant impact on the industry according to the international respondents. It does not evaluate gym equipment, tools, hardware, software, or other exercise machinery.
The 2015 year survey shows that some of the fitness trends have stayed at the top of the list since 2008, when the first survey was published, whereas some new trends appear to be emerging for 2015. Some of the trends, such as Zumba® and other dancing workouts, Pilates, indoor cycling, stability ball, and balance training have dropped out of the top 20 altogether and, therefore, according to the author some of them should be considered a short-lived fashion rather tan a trend. It may be argued, however, that the sluggish economy has influenced the results of the survey — training programs that require expensive equipment or technical instruction might have suffered due to the increased cost.
Body weight training, which was first identified as a trend in 2013, is at the top position in the 2015 survey and is a trend to watch for the future according to the author. Despite contradicting opinions by health and fitness professionals high-intensity interval training proves its popularity as it is still in the top 3. The survey also reflects that fitness professionals’ education and certification sustains its significance. Personal training has been in the top 10 of the survey since 2007. It remains a growing trend in 2015 with high emphasis on the education and certification through third-party accrediting organizations.
Top 20 Fitness Trends 2015
(Rating changes in comparison to 2014)
↑1 1. Body weight training
↓1 2. High-intensity interval training
↕0 3. Educated, certified, and experienced fitness professionals
↕0 4. Strength training
↑1 5. Personal training
↓1 6. Exercise and weight loss
↑3 7. Yoga
↓1 8. Fitness programs for older adults
↓1 9. Functional fitness
↓1 10. Group personal training
↑1 11. Worksite health promotion
↑2 12. Outdoor activities
↑4 13. Wellness coaching
↑1 14. Circuit training
↓2 15. Core training
↑2 16. Sport-specific training
↓6 17. Children and exercise for the treatment/prevention of obesity
↓2 18. Outcome measurements
↕0 19. Worker incentive programs
↕0 20. Boot camp